As a responsible company Safelincs is monitoring the situation closely. Within the supply chain we are taking steps to ensure that our main product lines and services are still available. Where appropriate, alternative suppliers are being sourced and integrated into Safelincs’ supply chain. Our commitment to providing excellent customer service and the supply of critical safety products and services is at the forefront of our business.
Safelincs is also proactively implementing special measures and acting in line with government guidance and best practice to ensure the well-being of our employees and those we interact with.
This week Daniel, a student from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Alford, came to Safelincs for his work experience. Daniel got an overview of what the world of business is like and how each of our departments works together to create a successful business.
Daniel shadowed various departments such as HR, Sales, Products, IT and Marketing and carried out meaningful tasks in each area. For example, in the products department Daniel was shown the product selection and listing processes and then completed a new product listing for an Evac+Chair Photoluminescent Sign. This experience showed him first-hand how a product is listed. Daniel said, ‘It was very useful to see how products that we take for granted actually become available to us.’
We ensured that Daniel’s placement at Safelincs was as interesting as
possible. Throughout the week, Daniel was given a number of tasks typical for
each department he visited. This included replying to mock customer emails,
research tasks, such as finding an asbestos awareness course that met specific
requirements, website evaluations on the Safelincs website and printing a new
staff badge.
Overall, this has been a beneficial experience for not only Daniel but for us at Safelincs as well. Having students here opens up possibilities of future employment. Daniel was a great student and we wish him every success in the future.
The product listing Daniel completed during his work placement week
Angie Dewick-Eisele
Marketing Manager
Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.
As reported by the BBC, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue – Les Britzman – is asking business owners to take more care and responsibility in regards to false alarms. Provided that there are no hazardous materials in the premises and there is no immediate risk to life or the community, the CFO says they should “have systems in place to go and check those buildings themselves” before calling 999. This is inline with information and advice from the London Fire Brigade who attended around 38,000 false alarms in 2017 alone, diverting resources from real emergencies and putting people at risk due to avoidable blue light journeys.
BS 5839 Part 1, the Code of Practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire alarm systems in non-domestic premises, has a focus on managing false alarms, which means doing so is necessary to maintain compliance. The Responsible Person must ensure that all false alarms on a system are logged and investigated for a root cause, and that mitigating work is undertaken as necessary. This could be fitting simple flip covers to manual call points, a recommendation in the Standard, to prevent accidental activation.
Another fundamental part of managing false alarms in existing fire alarm systems is to ensure they are tested, inspected, and serviced at regular intervals. This will reduce the risks of false alarms caused by faulty or improperly installed equipment, as well as identifying detectors which have become unsuitable due to a change in the purpose of a room after the system was installed. For example, swapping optical beam detectors to point heat detectors in a building that was repurposed from warehousing into a factory with machinery that creates a lot of dust.
Functional testing of point smoke detectors with a Solo aerosol dispenser and access pole.
For new fire alarm systems, during the design stage the full details of the Fire Risk Assessment, the building, and its intended / current use should be made available so that the most suitable types of detector can be selected and positioned in the correct way. Suitable detectors in the correct locations are one of the easiest methods for managing false alarms as, for example, installing an optical smoke detector near kitchens or bathrooms could result in false alarms due to steam from cooking or baths and showers. While identifying design shortcomings is not generally the responsibility of an installer, the Standard does state that any issues noticed during installation – particularly those arising from features of the building that might not have been known to the designer – should be brought to the attention of the designer or Responsible Person. An example of this could be certain machinery in a room which, during normal operation, creates excessive heat that would activate a Class A1 heat detector (54 – 65°C activation) and therefore making the use of a Class B detector (69 – 85°C) more appropriate.
Managing false alarms properly ensures that time is not wasted by needless evacuations of the premises, which may also cause downtime of machinery and potentially a loss of earnings. There is also a chance that occupants may get used to hearing false alarms and fail to react properly in the event of a real emergency. Should a real fire incident occur, documentation showing full compliance will be required during the investigation and it is highly likely that insurers will also require this when processing a claim.
Buses 4 Homeless is a social enterprise that was set up by Dan Atkins with a mission to provide 14,600 nights of sleep a year for the homeless. This exciting project, offering a three-month rehabilitation programme to vulnerable homeless people, is run from four refurbished double-decker buses and aims to re-engage homeless people back into the community.
Dan contacted Safelincs to ask for advice about fire safety and when we heard about the project we decided to get involved and donate a state of the art Zerio Plus wireless fire detection system, fire extinguishers, and a fire escape ladder. Installing the equipment enabled the first guests to be welcomed onto the project just before Christmas. Dan Atkins said “I picked up the phone and called Safelincs, spoke about the project and what we are doing. Everyone at Safelincs has been so supportive”. Dan went on to say “it is humbling to have such support”.
The buses provide four very distinct areas for the guests including sleeping accommodation, dining, wellbeing, and education. Each individual has the opportunity to work on their own specific areas and issues that led them to become homeless, learn new skills and help them secure employment. The programme offers the opportunity of long term mentorship to underpin long term success. We wish Dan and his team every success.
Buses 4 Homeless fitted with Zerio Plus wireless alarm panel and water mist extinguishers
Angie Dewick-Eisele
Marketing Manager
Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.
Newhaven Residential Home, a medium-sized Lincolnshire residential facility offering accommodation for up to 25 residents, has recently installed Dorgard SmartSound fire door retainers.
The home wanted to increase the independence of its residents and found that one of the biggest challenges for residents was opening bedroom doors. The weight of a fire door, coupled with a strong door closer, meant that residents couldn’t open them unaided or leave them partly open. The home had already installed fire door retainers on other fire doors throughout the home, connecting communal areas and after feeling the benefit of these wanted to address bedroom doors to further increase the independence of its residents.
Newhaven Residential Home, Lincolnshire
Sharon Evans, Care Manager at Newhaven, said ‘sometimes residents who need to stay in their rooms when they are unwell can feel isolated if their bedroom door is always closed.’ she went on to say that ‘having the flexibility to have a bedroom door partially open means that they can see people passing along the corridor, which makes them feel happier.’
Dorgard SmartSound fire door retainers ensure that residential and nursing homes can meet the requirements set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order while also promoting the independent mobility of residents. They are CE marked and conform to BS 7273-4:2015 Category B. These fire door retainers use SmartSound technology to listen for the fire alarm sounding. On detecting the fire alarm the device will automatically lift the plunger, allowing the fire door to swing closed.
As a student, it may be the very first time that you are living away from home and you will have just settled into your new accommodation. Many things may be on your mind and the safety of your new room may not be one of them; after all, isn’t that covered by the landlord? While landlords have the full responsibility to ensure that the rooms they rent out are fully compliant, news articles would suggest that this is not always the case and that some landlords are failing to meet their responsibilities.
It is always worth checking that the basics have been ticked off; are smoke alarms and fire extinguishers installed, in date and serviced? What about carbon monoxide? what do you know about this gas and do you need protection from it? Knowing about the dangers of carbon monoxide could save your life.
What is Carbon monoxide (CO) and how will it affect you?
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that when breathed in will attach to your red blood cells, reducing the amount of oxygen that is carried around your body. Low levels of CO over a long period can have devastating effects on your health, such as causing damage to nerves and brain as well as affecting your heart. Being exposed to high levels of CO can cause sudden unconsciousness and death.
What do you need to look out for?
University students should ensure that they know the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning, it could save their life.
You can’t see, smell or taste carbon monoxide and that is why the only way to know if this poisonous gas is present is to install a carbon monoxide detector. Having a detector that will give an audible signal if CO is present means you will get alerted even when asleep.
The symptoms of CO poisoning are very similar to flu (and hangovers!) and as such a CO leak may go undetected. The main symptoms are persistent headaches, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, stomach pains, difficulty breathing, tiredness, confusion, and sudden collapse. If your symptoms get better when you leave your accommodation and go outside that is another indicator that CO may be causing your symptoms.
How can you protect yourself?
As a student, you are most likely living in either University accommodation or a privately rented room in a shared house. Check to see if your accommodation has a carbon monoxide alarm installed. This is important if you have appliances that use fuels such as gas, oil, and wood as CO is produced from the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. If you use a fuel appliance, such as a cooker or fire, and don’t have a CO alarm fitted ask your landlord or University accommodation department to install one. It is their legal duty to provide a CO alarm for you if there is fuel used within the building.
Do you need a CO detector if you don’t have any fuel burning appliances?
Yes, it is recommended that even if you don’t have any fossil fuel appliances in your accommodation that you have at least one CO detector fitted. Carbon monoxide can seep through walls and as such you are at risk of CO poisoning from your neighbour.
Is there anything else you should look out for?
You should check that all your appliances, such as cookers, fires, and boilers are serviced every year. This is the responsibility of your landlord and a legal requirement. Ask to see the annual certificates or reports if you can’t see an in-date sticker on the appliance. If your landlord can’t produce them then insist that the service is carried out again.
In between the annual service or checks keep your eyes open for any telltale signs that the appliance isn’t working properly. These may include soot marks around the appliance, excessive condensation in the room, lazy yellow or orange coloured flames instead of a bright blue one. If you notice any of these signs inform your landlord immediately and ask for the appliance to be checked.
What do you do if carbon monoxide is detected?
If you suspect that carbon monoxide is leaking into your accommodation the first thing to do is open doors and windows to let in fresh air and ventilate the room. Turn off the appliance if safe to do so and contact the emergency services:
Safelincs receiving Employer of the Year 2019 East Lindsey Business Award
Safelincs Ltd have been named Employer of the Year and been given a second award for Excellence in Customer Service in the ELBA 2019 business awards. These two awards are testimony to the great team at Safelincs. Harry Dewick-Eisele, MD, said ‘We are incredibly proud of our team and these two awards are down to our great team work and ethical business practices’. He went on to say ‘we believe our success is in selecting the right staff from the start, giving them a comprehensive induction period and then involving them in all aspects of the business’.
Safelincs receiving Excellence in Customer Service 2019 East Lindsey Business Award
These two awards follow continued growth for the company, bucking the trend by growing 30% year on year for the last four years. Ensuring that staff are well trained, have a voice within the company and are empowered to provide the best customer service are all contributing factors for Safelincs’ success. With a product range of over 6000 products Safelincs can offer comprehensive fire safety solutions to customers of all sizes and work with organisations such as Eton College, Empire Cinema, the NHS, as well as schools, colleges and universities.
Angie Dewick-Eisele
Marketing Manager
Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.
Fire doors are given ratings which relate to the length of time the doors will give protection against a fire breaking through the door. Typial ratings for fire doors look like this: FD30, FD30s, etc. FD stands for fire door, and the number stands for the minutes of protection the door is certified for, in this instance 30 minutes protection. The ‘s’ after the number rating indicates that the fire door has not only intumescent fire door seals but also brushes to prevent the spread of cold smoke.
Fire doors form an essential part of your fire protection plan, slowing down and compartmentalising a fire. As such, you must get the right fire door in the right place; after all, it could save lives.
If you would like to gain a deeper understanding of fire door ratings, read our article ‘Fire Door Ratings: FD30 or FD60?‘ to find out more. Alternatively our online fire door configurator will guide you seamlessly through the process of purchasing a fire door.
Angie Dewick-Eisele
Marketing Manager
Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.
How aware are you of the dangers poorly maintained gas appliances pose to you and your loved ones? This year Gas Safety Week (16th – 22nd September) has a particular focus around the most vulnerable of us, ensuring that everybody is aware of the importance of gas safety and looking at ways to protect every member of our society.
Badly maintained gas appliances can have a devastating effect, causing fires, explosions, gas leaks, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that is produced from poorly combusted gas and it can kill within a few breaths. There are no warning signs, you can’t see, smell or taste it! The only way to detect CO is with a carbon monoxide alarm.
Do you know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
With over 50 deaths from CO poisoning every year in the UK and thousands of recorded cases of CO poisoning it is important to know what to look out for.
There are 8 symptoms to be aware of:
Having persistent dull headaches and tension type headaches.
Persistent Headaches
Having waves of dizziness or feeling light headed and off balance.
Dizziness
Feeling like you need to be sick (nausea) and actually being sick (vomiting)
Nausea / Vomiting
Pains in your stomach or lower abdomen, sometimes accompanied by diarrhoea.
Stomach Pains
Sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (dyspnoea)
Difficulty Breathing
Having no energy or feeling tired, sleepy, lethargic and sluggish.
Tiredness
Sudden collapse, seizures or loss of consciousness.
Sudden Collapse
Confusion, difficulty concentrating and becoming easily irritated.
Confusion
If you, or someone you know, has any of these symptoms, which improve when they leave the house, the chances are that carbon monoxide is present in their home.
What to do if you suspect there is a carbon monoxide leak
If you think there is carbon monoxide leaking into your home you should:
Open doors and windows to let fresh air in and turn off your gas appliances before leaving the building
Call your gas provider or a Gas Safe Registered Engineer
Inform your neighbours, CO can penetrate walls and seep into adjoining properties
Seek medical advice
DO NOT ENTER your property until you have been told it is safe to do so
Install a CO alarm for an early warning signal that the deadly gas is present
How to stay safe
Ensure that gas appliances are well maintained and checked at least once a year by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. Once you had an appliance serviced it is important to regularly check that it continues to work correctly, for example, gas cooker nozzles may become partially blocked by food, causing the gas not to burn correctly. If you notice any of the following signs, then your gas appliance may not be working correctly.
Dull yellow or orange flames
Black marks on your appliance or on walls near them
A pilot light that frequently goes out
Higher than normal amounts of condensation in the room where the appliance is
While thinking about your own gas appliances and how safe they are, have you thought about checking the safety of elderly relatives, too? With deterioration in eyesight and an increased chance of having a disease that affects memory, such as dementia, elderly people are particularly vulnerable. Gas cookers and gas fires can accidentally be left on and an elderly person may not notice that their gas appliance has an orange flame.
Fit a carbon monoxide alarm for peace of mind. The alarm will sound and give early warning sign that CO is present, enabling early evacuation and repair of appliances. Alarms such as the Kidde 5DCO have a digital display, which will display the CO concentration even if there are only very low levels of CO, giving you advanced warning of CO before the levels become dangerously high. If the CO gas levels rise to a dangerous level, the 5DCO will sound the full alarm.
If you would like further advice please call our customer care team on 0800 612 6537.
Gas Emergency Services: 0800 111 999
Angie Dewick-Eisele
Marketing Manager
Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.
All homes that have a fuel burning appliance, such as gas powered boilers, heaters, ovens, stoves and open fire places, should have at least one carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. As reported in a recent ITV news article, carbon monoxide kills around 50 people every year in England and Wales. (The NHS website estimates this figure to be even higher at around 60 fatalities each year). The article quotes the UK Fire Services that incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning have risen by 32% over the last five years. Campaigners on the dangers of carbon monoxide state that over 40 million Britons are at risk. But you don’t have to be one of the statistics.
Known as the Silent Killer, carbon monoxide is created from the inefficient burning of gas and solid fuel. Having your appliances properly serviced, maintained and tested is essential to ensure it is properly working, but this is not a guarantee that you will be safe. Faults can and do develop between inspections.
Even if your home is supplied and heated only with electrical appliances there are still risks. Carbon monoxide can seep through seemingly impermeable walls and can enter your home from a faulty appliance of your neighbour as well as from adjoining garages that house vehicles and petrol-fuelled equipment such as lawnmowers.
Carbon monoxide alarms are now more affordable, more reliable and more discreet than ever before. Every one of our CO alarm range is certified to BS EN 50291 Part 1 which defines the standard that CO alarms must be made to for use in the home. We even stock a range that are suitable for camping, caravans and travel when gas cookers and heaters are commonly used (these alarms are certified to BS EN50291-2).
For greater peace of mind an alarm with digital display, like the Kidde 5DCO carbon monoxide alarm, will enable you to see exactly what levels of CO are in your home, so you can check your appliances before CO levels become dangerously high.
For further advice or to discuss our wider range of carbon monoxide alarms, call today on 0800 612 6537.
